[jpd]

Hi there,

I'm gathering my things together for my EOI and not quite sure whether I can really claim bonus points for qualification on the Skill Shortages List.

I'm an IT consultant / computer programmer with seven year's experience and a diploma in (here's the knack) commercial information technology (in Germany: Wirtschaftsinformatik).
In practice, mine should certainly be a skill they need, but the Skill Shortages List only lists computer science, information science, and information technology. Close enough, probably, but is it?

I was just looking at the form for an NZQA pre-assessment, and it doesn't really give you the chance to include many details, like that I put the main focus strongly on the computer science side, and just did the necessary business study bits. I'm a bit nervous they'll just see the diploma title, say fine, we have the same here and call it that, and that NZIS might say 'CIT' is not 'IT'.

Or am I just being paranoid? ;-)

Anyone with an equivalent degree that had it already assessed?

Thanks,
Jan

[RussandViv]

Hi Jan,

I didn't have exactly the same qualification but I did have a similar problem.

I also have a career in IT but my qualification is Master of Business Administration. According to NZ Immigration, this was not acceptable because it was not on the list of recognised degrees. In fact the only category an MBA appeared to be recognised for was Teaching/Lecturer!

My only option was to apply for an assessment from the NZQA otherwise my application would have been terminated. So I wrote a letter to the NZQA stating that the work I do is actually more relevant to business studies (than science). I contacted all previous employers for references and included these with the relevant degree certificate originals.

My case took rather longer to be processed (I would suggest considering the 'quick' assessment option) at 8 months, but I did get a positive result from NZQA. They had looked at the qualification, past experience, university where the qualification was attained, etc and assessed the MBA as equivalent to an NZ degree of this level. So we were very pleased with the result and it allowed our application to continue to success.

In NZQA's defence they have the option to write to all the schools / universities involved in an application and so are dependent on response times from them - so its essential to get all your information (contact names, tel numbers and addresses) that you send to NZQA absolutely correct.

Hope this helps and please feel free to ask any questions.

Regards,

Russell

[CJ22]

I'm pretty sure 'ICT - Computer Programmer' is on the list of skills shortages. Go to the NZIS website and hunt around for the full list.

[jpd]

Thanks for your replies! :-)

CJ22 - yes, Computer Programmer is on the list (ICT would probably be Information and Communications Technology though). Really that's what I do, only my degree has the "Commercial" up front.

RussandViv - sounds like the NZQA really tries to assess what you're really qualified for and doesn't just look at the title, which is good of course.
I wonder if I should skip the pre-assessment and go straight for the full one before EOI, where I can give more info. Only this will slow the process down a bit, I speculated on getting my documents together (and translated) between EOI and ITA.
Wow, 8 months is the longest for NZQA that I've read about in this forum - reminds me that someone else wrote to call all universities etc. up front to prepare them for a call or letter from NZ, so they maybe process that a bit faster, guess I should really do that (plus fast-track...).
So in the end you opted for Australia instead?

[Vision]

Hi JPD

I am in a similar position as I have a "National Diploma Computer Data Processing" and a "National Higher Diploma in Management Practice" from a SA Technicon. The ND is a three year full-time or 4 year part time qualification with main subjects like "commercial programming " etc. NHD is a one year full and 2 year part-time course. Today they have replaced these diploma courses with B.Tech degrees from the same institutions - same study period etc. I have been a full time Programmer for 21 years now. I am also hoping to be able to claim points for my qualifications and experience.

I decided to do the full NZQA straight form the beginning because it seems to me that if you have a foreign qualification you need the NZQA for a future PR application etc. It is also asked for on the EOI web entry pages (although not as required fields). So, I am waiting for the NZQA to reply now. I would strongly urge you to do the same and go the full NZQA route because it is not a waste and you will need it to proceed - it could save you a lot of time, money and frustration later on.

BTW - If anybody out there has had their SA Technikon ND's and NHD's been looked at by NZQA - please post your results for us.

Regards